The man who invaded the pitch at the Etihad to confront Rio during the Manchester derby has been relieved of his role tending the garden of the Manchester United director

Matthew Stott, the 21-year-old who was charged after invading the pitch and confronting Rio Ferdinand during the Manchester derby, has lost his job as Sir Bobby Charlton's gardener.

Stott has been banned from attending football matches for three years after he decided to jump onto the field of play and intimidate Ferdinand, before Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart helped to defuse the situation.

United legend Sir Bobby confirmed that Stott had been relieved of his duties following events at the Etihad.

He said: "He was a very nice lad and I don’t know what happened at the match."

The gardener ran onto the pitch after Robin van Persie dramatically scored a last-minute winner, which saw all three points go to Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

The judge further added that Stott was lucky not to be given a straight prison sentence. He said: "This has to be a custodial sentence which I will suspend, but you are lucky you are not going straight down."

Stott has been given a 56-day suspended sentence, a three-year football attendance ban, a three month curfew and 120 hours of unpaid community service.